Christian Thomas

Associate Director

Specialization

Christian Thomas is the Associate Director of the Center for Digital Games Research, and teaches several game-based courses in the Writing Program at UC Santa Barbara.

Research

Selected grants, publications, and conference presentations:

  • Innovative Learning Technology Initiative grant ($94,000) in support of development of Rome: The Game (co-PI, 2019)
  • "Creating an Online Course as a Narrative Game.” Presentation for the 2023 Arizona State University Composition Conference (February 2023)
  • Arts Special Issue, The Art of Adaptation in Film and Video Games (editor, July 2022)
  • "Writing for Emotional Impact in Film and Video Games: Lessons in Character Development, Realism, and Interactivity from the Alien Media Franchise" (author, Arts, March 2021)
  • "Interview: Acclaimed Game Designer Ryan Kaufman Discusses Telltale Games, Star WarsHarry Potter, and How Video Games Can Transform Us" (interviewer, Arts, July 2021)
  • "Game Writing Meets Online Course Design" (presenter, University of California Writing Programs Conference, 2021)
  • "Teaching an Online Course as a Story-Based Game" (presenter, Engaging Teaching Symposium, 2020)
  • Mellon Engaging Humanities Faculty Fellowship (2019)
  • "VR Games for Learning" (presenter, The Wolf Museum of Exploration and Innovation, 2019)
  • "Gaming in the Writing Classroom" (presenter, Writing Program Professional Events, 2019)
  • "Character Development in Horror Fiction & Film" (presenter, College of Creative Studies, UCSB, 2019)
  • "Interactive Writing" (presenter, Technology in Writing Conference, 2018)
  • "Video Game Production" (presenter, UCSB Career Services, 2018)